Districts will be established to ensure representation throughout the trade territory. Member equity in the new cooperative will go in at a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Construction has started on a new automated agronomy facility in the Plymouth industrial park to service both cooperatives' customers in that territory. Construction will be completed by early 2018, and the facility will be ready for the 2018 planting season, the press release said.

The newly formed cooperative will maintain its 50 percent ownership in the energy joint venture, Co-Energy Alliance with Adell Cooperative, to service propane and fuel customers in the southern trade territory.

Country Visions ownership in CP Feeds will remain and offer feed products and services to customers in the southern area that is currently served by Kettle Lakes.

The mill in Random Lake will continue to service feed customers on a limited basis.

Steve Zutz, Country Visions CEO, said in the release: “The goal of the cooperative will be to continue to provide a high level of service to the patrons. Many customers will be served by the same employees or location as they have been in the past, with some changes that will take place as the efficiencies and rationalizations of the merger take effect over time.

"Investments in facilities, technology and employees will need to be made to continue to provide a high level of service to our ever-changing industry," Zutz added. "The cooperative will be much better positioned to do so after this merger.”

Country Visions is a farm supply cooperative operating in eastern Wisconsin and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The past fiscal year resulted in sales of $158 million from divisions including agronomy, grain, petroleum, propane and retail stores.

Country Visions is also a 60 percent owner of CP Feeds, which manufactures and sells more than $146 million in feed to area farmers.

Kettle Lakes sales of $40 million come from agronomy, grain, feed and retail divisions. Kettle Lakes also owns 50 percent of Co-Energy Alliance, which sells petroleum and propane to area customers.

Fatzo's in Two Rivers has new owners

Assisting owners Jessica Crowe and Adam Panosh with the ribbon-cutting were Fatzo's Sub & Pizza Shop employees and family members, and members of The Chamber of Manitowoc County’s Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors.(Photo: Provided)

Fatzo's Sub & Pizza Shop in Two Rivers recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate a change in ownership.

The restaurant is at 2001 Washington St.

Assisting owners Jessica Crowe and Adam Panosh with the ribbon-cutting were Fatzo's Sub & Pizza Shop employees and family members, and members of The Chamber of Manitowoc County’s Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors.

Allstates Rigging shares employee anniversaries

On July 13, Kiara Crowley-Oswald, Allstates Rigging’s sales and marketing assistant, will celebrate her two-year anniversary.

Mark Sieben, millwright/rigger at Allstates Rigging, celebrates his 10-year anniversary on July 30.

Allstates Rigging welcomes back Jack Burgarino for the summer internship in finance.

Brian Schmitz marks 25 years at CRW Insurance & Financial Services

Brian Schmitz, CRW Insurance & Financial Services office manager, marked 25 years with the New Holstein company June 30.

His anniversary came just weeks after the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.

A press release said Schmitz's days are filled with overseeing the daily operations and management of the business. It noted he also works directly with the Personal Lines Department, assisting customers with auto, home and farm insurance needs.

“I truly enjoy the interaction with customers and I’m extremely grateful for the relationships I’ve built over the years,” Schmitz said.

CRW Insurance & Financial Services is at 1411 Milwaukee Drive, New Holstein, and can be reached at 920-898-5731.